And, in both cases, he's run for something he has little chance of winning.

In 1970, he ran for governor of Michigan on the American Independent Party ticket. He predictably finished a distant third behind Republican William Milliken and Democrat Sander Levin, then left the political arena for decades.

He's attempting a comeback this year as a Republican at age 82. And he's doing it by challenging State Rep. Doug Bennett, D-Muskegon Township, who's considered a solid favorite in Muskegon County's Democratic-leaning 92nd State House District.

The district includes the cities of Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and North Muskegon, and Fruitland, Laketon and Muskegon townships.

So why would McCormick bother with such an uphill battle, particularly at his age?

"So Bennett doesn't get a free ride," said McCormick, who describes himself as the "semi-retired" co-owner of McCormick Sand Inc. and McCormick Gas and Grocery. "He's arrogant, he's got a bad temper, he's already got a super good retirement plan and he's in there double-dipping, trying to pick up some more.

"For every dollar he puts into his retirement program, you and I put in $17. That's way out of line. If these guys (in the state Legislature) want to contribute to society, they would be working there for nothing. They're in there for the money."

Bennett, seeking his third two-year term in the state House, did not respond to Chronicle requests for interviews.

McCormick, a North Muskegon resident, grew up in the area and left Muskegon High School as a senior to enlist in the military. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II before returning to Muskegon.

He worked as a supervisor for 11 years at the former Continental Motors, then in 1962 opened the first McCormick Sand Company. He sold the outfit to Nugent Sand four years later, but remained on the payroll as manager until 1984.

McCormick owned and operated a landfill in Montcalm County between 1985 and 2003, then opened the new McCormick Sand Inc. in Dalton Township with his son and grandson.

Now he's running for a position he wants to abolish. McCormick would like to see Michigan follow the example of Nebraska and have a unicameral legislature, with the state Senate left intact and the state House eliminated.

Assuming that doesn't happen, he said he's ready to go to Lansing, serve in the House and fight for job creation and spending restraint.

"There are no jobs here because this is the most expensive state to do business in, with taxes and regulations," McCormick said. "Just try to get a permit in this state. It took us six months to put tanks in the ground at our new gas station. One of the bidders said if you go to Indiana, you could put the tanks in the ground next week."

State spending is also a problem, according to McCormick.

"When I was at Continental, and the Korean War started winding down, the boss called down and said lay off 10 percent. That's how they have to do it (in state government). Start doing whatever you've got to do. Government should be run like a business."